U.S. patent application number 13/756150 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-08 for clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Toshio IWAHARA, Jun KOMENO.
Application Number | 20130199003 13/756150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48901627 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130199003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IWAHARA; Toshio ; et
al. |
August 8, 2013 |
CLIP
Abstract
A clip may be configured to be coupled to an attachment portion
formed in an attaching component and configured to be inserted into
an attaching hole formed in a panel. The clip may include a closed
front end, an open rear end, an engagement member extended from the
front end of the clip toward the rear end of the clip and having a
proximal end portion corresponding to the front end of the clip and
a distal end portion corresponding to the rear end of the clip, and
a retainer members formed in the engagement member and configured
to be secured to the attachment portion of the component. The
engagement member includes a main portion having an outwardly
bulged portion, a transition portion obliquely extended inwardly
from the outwardly bulged portion of the main portion, and an arm
portion extended from the transition portion.
Inventors: |
IWAHARA; Toshio;
(Okazaki-shi, JP) ; KOMENO; Jun; (Okazaki-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA; |
Okazaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DAIWA KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Okazaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
48901627 |
Appl. No.: |
13/756150 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/530 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/0657 20130101;
Y10T 24/44641 20150115; F16B 2/22 20130101; F16B 21/075
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/530 |
International
Class: |
F16B 2/22 20060101
F16B002/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 3, 2012 |
JP |
2012-021807 |
Claims
1. A clip made of resin, the clip being configured to be coupled to
an attachment portion formed in an attaching component and
configured to be inserted into an attaching hole formed in a panel,
so as to attach the component to the panel, comprising: a closed
front end that functions as a leading end when the clip is inserted
into the attaching hole, an open rear end, an engagement member
extended from the front end of the clip toward the rear end of the
clip and having a proximal end portion corresponding to the front
end of the clip and a distal end portion corresponding to the rear
end of the clip, and a retainer member formed in the engagement
member and configured to be secured to the attachment portion of
the component, wherein the engagement member has an outwardly
bulged portion that is positioned between the proximal end portion
and the distal end portion thereof so as to form a shoulder portion
therein, and an arm portion that is positioned between the shoulder
portion and the distal end thereof, wherein the engagement member
is configured to be elastically deformed inwardly about the
proximal end portion, wherein the engagement member is configured
such that when the engagement member is introduced into the
attaching hole of the panel, the distal end portion and the arm
portion thereof can successively contact the attachment portion of
the component due to elastic deformation of the engagement member
before the shoulder portion of the engagement member passes through
the attaching hole, and wherein the engagement member is configured
to engage a periphery of the attaching hole when the shoulder
portion of the engagement member passes through the attaching
hole.
2. The clip as defined in claim 1, wherein the engagement member is
configured such that the arm portion can continuously contact the
attachment portion of the component until immediately before the
shoulder portion of the engagement member passes through the
attaching hole.
3. A clip configured to be coupled to an attachment portion formed
in an attaching component and configured to be inserted into an
attaching hole formed in a panel, comprising: a closed front end,
an open rear end, an engagement member extended from the front end
of the clip toward the rear end of the clip and having a proximal
end portion corresponding to the front end of the clip and a distal
end portion corresponding to the rear end of the clip, and a
retainer members formed in the engagement member and configured to
be secured to the attachment portion of the component, wherein the
engagement member includes a main portion having an outwardly
bulged portion, a transition portion obliquely extended inwardly
from the outwardly bulged portion of the main portion, and an arm
portion extended from the transition portion.
4. The clip as defined in claim 3, wherein the engagement member
has an inwardly projected protrusion that is formed in the distal
end portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a clip for attaching an
attaching article or component (e.g., a center cluster, one of
automobile interior parts) to an object member (e.g. an instrument
panel).
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] This type of clip is already known. The known clip is
composed of a pair of engagement members and a pair of retainer
members. The engagement members are connected to each other at
respective end portions thereof so as to have a U-shape as a hole.
The retainer members are formed as a pair of flexible strips that
are respectively formed in the engagement members. Further, the
engagement members are respectively capable of elastically flexing
about the connected end portions thereof. Further, the engagement
members respectively have outwardly most-bulged portions so as to
form shoulder portions therein.
[0005] In order to attach a component (an attaching article) to a
panel (an object member), the clip is coupled to an attachment
portion formed in a rear surface of the component using the
retainer member. Thereafter, the engagement members of the clip are
pushed into an attaching hole formed in the panel. As a result, the
engagement members are introduced into the attaching hole while
elastically flexing inwardly. When the outwardly most-bulged
portions of the engagement members pass through the attaching hole,
the engagement members are restored or flexed outwardly, so that
the shoulder portions engage a periphery of the attaching hole. As
a result, the engagement members are securely received in the
attaching hole, so that the clip can be connected to the panel.
Thus, the component can be attached to the panel via the clip.
[0006] Further, various clips improved upon the clip described
above have been developed. For example, improved clips are taught,
for example, by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications Nos.
2009-97521 and 2009-8138 and Japanese Patent No. 4540726. In each
of the clips taught by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications Nos.
2009-97521 and 2009-8138 and Japanese Patent No. 4540726, the
engagement members are configured so as to contact the attachment
portion of the component due to elastic deformation thereof when an
extraction force is applied to the clip attached to the panel. As a
result, the clip may have an increased retaining (resisting) force
against the extraction force. Further, each of the clips taught by
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-8138 and Japanese
Patent No. 4540726 is configured such that the retaining force
thereof can be changed by changing the shape of the attachment
portion of the component which contacts the engagement members.
[0007] Also, a clip 110 shown in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(H) is known. The
clip 110 has front and rear ends and has a U-shape as a hole. The
clip 110 is composed of a pair of engagement members 112 and a pair
of retainer members 114. The engagement members 112 may have
proximal end portions 112a and distal end portions 112b. The
engagement members 112 may be connected to each other at the
proximal end portions 112a thereof The retainer members 114 are
formed as a pair of flexible strips that are respectively formed in
the engagement members 112. The flexible strips are oppositely
convexed inwardly. Further, the engagement members 112 are
respectively capable of elastically flexing about the connected
proximal end portions 112a. Further, the engagement members 112
respectively have outwardly most-bulged portions that can form
shoulder portions 112c therein. The engagement members 112 may be
relatively thinned and inclined inwardly from the shoulder portions
112c toward the distal end portions 112b, so as to form arm
portions 112e.
[0008] In order to attach a component (an attaching article) to a
panel 24 (an object member), the clip 110 is coupled to an
attachment portion 22 formed in a rear surface of the component
using the retainer member 114. Thereafter, the engagement members
112 of the clip 110 are pushed into an attaching hole 26 formed in
the panel 24. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(G), the
engagement members 112 are introduced into the attaching hole 26
while they are elastically flexed inwardly. As shown in FIG. 8(H),
when the outwardly most-bulged portions of the engagement members
112 pass through the attaching hole 26, the engagement members 112
are restored or flexed outwardly, so that the shoulder portions
112c can engage a periphery of the attaching hole 26. As a result,
the engagement members 112 can be securely received in the
attaching hole 26, so that the clip 110 can be connected to the
panel 24. Thus, the component can be attached to the panel 24 via
the clip 110.
[0009] As shown in FIGS. 8(D), in the clip 110, the engagement
members 112 are configured such that the distal end portions 112b
thereof can contact the attachment portion 22 of the component when
the clip 110 is inserted into the attaching hole 26 over a
predetermined distance (i.e., a predetermined insertion stroke).
Further, as shown in FIGS. 8(E) to 8(H), the engagement members 112
are configured to be introduced into the attaching hole 26 while
the distal end portions 112b thereof continuously contact the
attachment portion 22 until the shoulder portions 112c engage the
periphery of the attaching hole 26 when the clip 110 is further
inserted into the attaching hole 26.
[0010] The clip 110 may have a substantial retaining force.
However, in the clip 110, when the clip 110 is pushed into the
attaching hole 26, an insertion resistance can be largely varied.
In other words, an increased insertion load (force) of the clip 110
can be largely varied. In particular, a characteristic curve of the
insertion load of the clip 110 may have a peak therein. As a
result, workers may be overburdened. This may lead to reduced
working efficiency of a clip insertion operation.
[0011] Thus, there is a need in the art for improved clips.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a clip
made of resin may be provided. The clip may be configured to be
coupled to an attachment portion formed in an attaching component
and configured to be inserted into an attaching hole formed in a
panel, so as to attach the component to the panel. The clip may
include a closed front end that functions as a leading end when the
clip is inserted into the attaching hole, an open rear end, an
engagement member extended from the front end of the clip toward
the rear end of the clip and having a proximal end portion
corresponding to the front end of the clip and a distal end portion
corresponding to the rear end of the clip, and a retainer member
formed in the engagement member and configured to be secured to the
attachment portion of the component. The engagement member has an
outwardly bulged portion that is positioned between the proximal
end portion and the distal end portion thereof so as to form a
shoulder portion therein, and an arm portion that is positioned
between the shoulder portion and the distal end thereof. The
engagement member is configured to be elastically deformed inwardly
about the proximal end portion. The engagement member is configured
such that when the engagement member is introduced into the
attaching hole of the panel, the distal end portion and the arm
portion thereof can successively contact the attachment portion of
the component due to elastic deformation of the engagement member
before the shoulder portion of the engagement member passes through
the attaching hole. The engagement member is configured to engage a
periphery of the attaching hole when the shoulder portion of the
engagement member passes through the attaching hole.
[0013] Optionally, the engagement member may be configured such
that the arm portion can continuously contact the attachment
portion of the component until immediately before the shoulder
portion of the engagement member passes through the attaching
hole.
[0014] According to the aspect of the present invention, when the
engagement member is introduced into the attaching hole of the
panel, the distal end portion and the arm portion thereof can
successively contact the attachment portion of the component before
the outwardly bulged portion of the engagement member passes
through the attaching hole. Therefore, an elastic force of the
engagement member (which substantially corresponds to a retaining
force of the clip) can be maintained substantially constant during
a clip insertion operation. As a result, an insertion load of the
clip can be maintained substantially constant over the
substantially all insertion strokes without reducing the retaining
force of the clip. Therefore, workers can be prevented from being
overburdened.
[0015] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily understood after reading the following
detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and
the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to a first
embodiment of the present invention, an attaching component and a
panel, which illustrates a condition in which the component is not
attached to the panel using the clip;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clip;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the clip;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of the clip;
[0020] FIGS. 5(A) to 5(H) are explanatory views of the clip, which
respectively illustrate first to eighth stages of a clip insertion
operation;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of the
clip;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a clip according to a
second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIGS. 8(A) to 8(H) are explanatory views of a conventional
clip, which respectively illustrate first to eighth stages of a
clip insertion operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Detailed representative embodiments of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0025] A first detailed representative embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is directed to a
clip 10 that is used to attach a component 20 (an attaching
article) to a panel 24 (an object member). In particular, the clip
10 is configured so as to be coupled to an attachment portion 22
formed in the component 20. Further, the clip is configured so as
to be inserted into an attaching hole 26 formed in the panel 24.
Upon insertion of the clip 10 into the attaching hole 26 after the
clip 10 is coupled to the attachment portion 22 of the component
20, the component 20 can be attached to the panel 24.
[0027] The clip 10 may preferably be integrally formed by resin
molding. As best shown in FIG. 3, the clip 10 may have a U-shape as
a hole. That is, the clip 10 thus shaped may have a closed upper or
front (leading) end 10A which functions as a leading end when the
clip 10 is inserted into the attaching hole 26 of the panel 24 and
an open lower or rear (trailing) end 10B from which the clip 10 is
coupled to the attachment portion 22 of the component 20. In
particular, the clip 10 may essentially be composed of a pair of
right and left flexible engagement members 12 and a pair of
flexible retainer members 14. The engagement members 12 may be
configured to be introduced into and connected to the attaching
hole 26 of the panel 24, so as to attach the clip 10 to the panel
24. Conversely, the retainer members 14 may be configured to be
secured to the attachment portion 22 of the component 20, so as to
couple the clip 10 to the attachment portion 22 of the component
20.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the engagement members 12 may have
proximal end portions 12a corresponding to the front end 10A of the
clip 10 and distal end portions 12b corresponding to the rear end
10B of the clip 10. The engagement members 12 may be connected to
each other at the proximal end portions 12a thereof and extended
from the proximal end portions 12a toward the distal end portions
12b (from the front end 10A of the clip 10 toward the front end 10A
of the clip 10) along a central axis L of the clip 10. Further, the
engagement members 12 may respectively be capable of elastically
flexing (deforming) inwardly with respect to the central axis L
about the connected proximal end portions 12a.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the engagement members 12 may
respectively be obliquely extended from the proximal end portions
12a while being inclined outwardly with respect to the central axis
L of the clip 10, so as to form main portions. The engagement
members 12 (the main portions) thus shaped may respectively have
outwardly most-bulged portions positioned between the proximal end
portions 12a and the distal end portions 12b, so as to form
shoulder portions 12c therein. The engagement members 12 may then
be relatively thinned and obliquely extended inwardly from the
most-bulged portions (the shoulder portions 12c) toward the distal
end portions 12b, so as to form inwardly inclined transition
portions respectively having inclined surfaces 12d. The engagement
members 12 may then be bent and vertically extended from the
transition portions (the inclined surfaces 12d) to the distal end
portions 12b, so as to form vertical arm portions 12e. Further, the
engagement members 12 may respectively have inwardly oppositely
projected protrusions 12f that are respectively formed in the
distal end portions 12b.
[0030] Conversely, the retainer members 14 may be formed as
flexible strips that are respectively formed in the engagement
members 12. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of
vertically elongated slots 16 are formed in each of the engagement
members 12 in parallel with each other. Thus, the retainer members
14 may respectively be integrally formed in the engagement members
12. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of elongated slots 16 may
preferably be positioned such that each of the retainer members 14
can be formed in a (widthwise) central portion of each of the
engagement members 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the
retainer members 14 may respectively be oppositely convexed
inwardly.
[0031] As best shown in FIG. 2, the retainer members 14 thus formed
may respectively be connected to the proximal end portions 12a of
the engagement members 12 in the front end 10A of the clip 10 and
the distal end portions 12b of the engagement members 12 in the
rear end 10B of the clip 10. Thus, the retainer members 14 may
respectively be connected to or integrated with the engagement
members 12 in the front and rear ends 10A and 10B of the clip 10.
Further, as previously described, each of the retainer members 12
may respectively be oppositely convexed inwardly. As a result, as
shown in FIG. 3, the engagement members 12 and the retainer members
14 can be connected to each other so as to form a substantially
rhombic loop in an elevational view of the clip 10.
[0032] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the retainer members 14 may
respectively include upper or front pressing portions 14a and lower
or rear extended portions 14c. The pressing portions 14a may
respectively be connected to the proximal end portions 12a of the
engagement members 12 at one end thereof and extended substantially
vertically therefrom along the central axis L. The extended
portions 14c may respectively be extended from the other end of the
pressing portions 14a and connected to the distal end portions 12b
of the engagement members 12. Each of the pressing portions 14a has
a thickness greater than a thickness of each of the extended
portions 14c, so as to have a rigidity that is required to maintain
a condition in which the clip 10 is coupled to the attachment
portion 22 of the component 20. Further, the pressing portions 14a
may preferably be configured (tapered) such that a distance between
inner opposite surfaces thereof can be gradually reduced from the
front end 10A of the clip 10 toward the rear end 10B of the clip
10.
[0033] Further, the retainer members 14 may respectively have
inwardly projected engagement protrusions 14b that are respectively
formed in lower end portions of the inner opposite surfaces of the
pressing portions 14a thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the
engagement protrusions 14b may preferably have a width (a lateral
length) greater than a width of each of the retainer members 14 in
a side view of the clip 10, so as to be laterally projected beyond
each of the pressing portions 14a.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the retainer members 14 thus formed may
respectively be spaced from the engagement members 12 via the
elongated slots 16. In other words, the retainer members 14 may be
configured to not be overlapped with the engagement members 12 in
the side view of the clip 10. Therefore, when the engagement
members 12 are elastically flexed inwardly about the proximal end
portions 12a thereof, the engagement members 12 can be flexed or
deformed independently of the retainer members 14, so as to be
aligned with the retainer members 14 in the elevational view of the
clip 10. Thus, when the clip 10 is inserted into the attaching hole
26 formed in the panel 24, a size or thickness of the clip 10 can
be effectively reduced. As a result, the attaching hole 26 of the
panel 24 can be relatively reduced in size.
[0035] An example of the component 20 is a center cluster that is
integrally formed by plastic molding. The attachment portion 22 of
the component 20 may preferably be integrally formed in a rear
surface of the component 20. The attachment portion 22 may have a
predetermined thickness, so as to be introduced between the inner
opposite surfaces of the pressing portions 14a of the retainer
members 14 of the clip 10. The attachment portion 22 may have an
engagement slot 22a that is formed as a through bore passing
therethrough. Further, the attachment portion 22 may have a pair of
reinforcement ribs 22b that are respectively attached to opposite
ends thereof.
[0036] An example of the panel 24 is an instrument panel. Further,
the attaching hole 26 of the panel 24 may be formed as a through
bore passing through the panel 24.
[0037] Next, a method of attaching the component 20 to the panel 24
using the clip 10 will now be described in detail.
[0038] First, the clip 10 is pressed toward the attachment portion
22 of the component 20 from the open rear end 10B thereof. As a
result, the attachment portion 22 can be introduced between the
inner opposite surfaces of the pressing portions 14a of the
retainer members 14 of the clip 10. At the same time, the
engagement protrusions 14b formed in the pressing portions 14a can
engage the engagement slots 22a of the attachment portion 22. Thus,
the clip 10 can be coupled to the attachment portion 22 of the
component 20.
[0039] As previously described, the pressing portions 14a of the
retainer members 14 is configured such that the distance between
the inner opposite surfaces thereof can be gradually reduced from
the front end 10A of the clip 10 toward the rear end 10B of the
clip 10. Therefore, even if the thickness of the attachment portion
22 may be varied, the pressing portions 14a can reliably clamp the
attachment portion 22 therebetween, so that the clip 10 can be
securely coupled to the attachment portion 22 without producing
backlash therebetween. Further, each of the engagement protrusions
14b is laterally projected beyond each of the pressing portions
14a. Therefore, even if each of the retainer members 14 has a
limited width in the side view of the clip 10, the engagement
protrusions 14b can engage the engagement slots 22a of the
attachment portion 22 over a considerable or sufficient
distance.
[0040] Thereafter, the clip 10 coupled to the attachment portion 22
of the component 20 may be pushed into the attaching hole 26 formed
in the panel 24. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) to 5(G), which
correspond to first to seventh stages of a clip insertion
operation, the engagement members 12 may be progressively
introduced into the attaching hole 26 while they are elastically
flexed inwardly about the proximal end portions 12a thereof due to
pressing forces applied by a periphery of the attaching hole 26. As
shown in FIG. 5(H), which corresponds to an eighth stage of the
clip insertion operation, when the outwardly most-bulged portions
(the shoulder portion 12c) of the engagement members 12 (the main
portions) pass through the attaching hole 26, the engagement
members 12 can be restored or flexed outwardly, so that the
inclined surfaces 12d (the transition portions) continuous with the
shoulder portion 12c can engage the periphery of the attaching hole
26. This condition may be referred to as an engagement condition of
the engagement members 12. As a result, the engagement members 12
can be securely received in the attaching hole 26, so that the clip
10 can be connected to the panel 24. Thus, the component 20 can be
attached to the panel 24 via the clip 10.
[0041] In particular, when the engagement members 12 are introduced
into the attaching hole 26 from a condition shown in FIG. 5(A) to a
condition shown in FIG. 5(B), the engagement members 12 may be
elastically flexed inwardly about the proximal end portions 12a
thereof, so that the protrusions 12f formed in the distal end
portions 12b of the engagement members 12 can contact the
attachment portion 22 of the component 20 (FIG. 5(B)). When the
engagement members 12 are further introduced into the attaching
hole 26 from a condition shown in FIG. 5(C) to a condition shown in
FIG. 5(D), the engagement members 12 may be continuously flexed
inwardly, so that the arm portions 12e of the engagement members 12
can contact the attachment portion 22 while the distal end portions
12b (the protrusions 12f) contact the attachment portion 22. That
is, the distal end portions 12b and the arm portions 12e of the
engagement members 12 can successively contact the attachment
portion 22 in the middle of a clip insertion operation (i.e.,
before the outwardly most-bulged portions of the engagement members
12 pass through the attaching hole 26).
[0042] When the engagement members 12 are further introduced into
the attaching hole 26 from a condition shown in FIG. 5(E) to a
condition shown in FIG. 5(G), the engagement members 12 may be
further continuously flexed inwardly while the arm portions 12e
contact the attachment portion 22. At this time, as shown in FIGS.
5(F) and 5(G), the transition portions of the engagement members 12
can also be gradually deformed or flexed, so that the distal end
portions 12b (the protrusions 120 can be spaced from the attachment
portion 22. As shown in FIG. 5(H), when the engagement members 12
are further introduced into the attaching hole 26, i.e., when the
outwardly most-bulged portions (the shoulder portion 12c) of the
engagement members 12 pass through the attaching hole 26, the
engagement members 12 can be restored or flexed outwardly about the
proximal end portions 12a thereof, so that the inclined surfaces
12d (the transition portions) can engage the periphery of the
attaching hole 26. At this time, the arm portions 12e can be spaced
from the attachment portion 22. At the same time, the transition
portions of the engagement members 12 can be restored, so that the
distal end portions 12b (the protrusions 12f) can contact the
attachment portion 22 again.
[0043] To the contrary, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(H), which
correspond to FIGS. 5(A) to 5(H), in the conventional clip 110,
when the engagement members 112 are introduced into the attaching
hole 26 from a condition shown in FIG. 8(A) to a condition shown in
FIG. 8(D), the engagement members 112 may be elastically flexed
inwardly about the proximal end portions 112a thereof, so that the
distal end portions 112b of the engagement members 112 can contact
the attachment portion 22 of the component 20 (FIG. 8(D)). In other
words, the distal end portions 112b cannot contact the attachment
portion 22 of the component 20 until the engagement members 112
reaches the condition shown in FIG. 8(D). At this time, unlike the
clip 10 of the present embodiment, the arm portions 112e of the
engagement members 112 cannot contact the attachment portion
22.
[0044] When the engagement members 112 are further introduced into
the attaching hole 26 from a condition shown in FIG. 8(E) to a
condition shown in FIG. 8(G), the engagement members 112 may be
continuously flexed inwardly while the distal end portions 112b
contact the attachment portion 22. At this time, unlike the clip 10
of the present embodiment, the arm portions 112e of the engagement
members 112 cannot contact the attachment portion 22. Also, the
distal end portions 112b cannot be spaced from the attachment
portion 22. When the engagement members 112 are further introduced
into the attaching hole 26 to a condition shown in FIG. 8(H), i.e.,
when the outwardly most-bulged portions of the engagement members
112 pass through the attaching hole 26, the engagement members 112
can be restored or flexed outwardly about the proximal end portions
112a thereof, so that the shoulder portions 112c can engage the
periphery of the attaching hole 26.
[0045] Characteristics of the clip 10 and the conventional clip 110
are shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, a characteristic curve of the clip
10 is shown by solid line. Conversely, a characteristic curve of
the conventional clip 110 is shown by broken line. Each of these
characteristic curves in FIG. 6 is shown as a curve which shows a
relation between an insertion distance or insertion stroke (mm) and
an insertion load (N). Further, references characters A to H
respectively show insertion strokes, which correspond to the
conditions shown in FIG. 5(A) to 5(H) and FIG. 8(A) to 8(H).
[0046] As shown by solid line in FIG. 6, the characteristic curve
of the clip 10 may be substantially flattened from immediately
after initiation of the clip insertion operation (i.e., after the
insertion stroke B) to immediately before completion of the clip
insertion operation or immediately before the engagement condition
of the engagement members 12 (i.e., around the insertion stroke G)
without forming a peak therebetween. That is, an insertion load of
the clip 10 may be maintained substantially constant without
forming a peak from immediately after initiation of the clip
insertion operation to immediately before completion of the clip
insertion operation. Further, the insertion load may be sharply
lowered from the insertion stroke G and reduced to zero in the
insertion stroke H (in the engagement condition of the engagement
members 12).
[0047] To the contrary, as shown by broken line in FIG. 6, the
characteristic curve of the conventional clip 110 may have a peak
around the insertion stroke C. That is, an insertion load of the
clip 110 may be changed significantly from around the insertion
stroke B to around the insertion stroke E and may have the peak
around the insertion stroke C. The insertion load may be sharply
reduced after the insertion stroke C and may be maintained
substantially constant from around the insertion stroke E to around
the insertion stroke G.
[0048] According to the clip 10, unlike the conventional clip 110,
the insertion load of the clip 10 can be maintained substantially
constant from the initiation of the clip insertion operation to the
completion of the clip insertion operation because the engagement
members 12 are configured such that the distal end portions 12b and
the arm portions 12e thereof can successively contact the
attachment portion 22 in the middle of the clip insertion
operation. Therefore, workers can be prevented from being
overburdened. As a result, working efficiency of the clip insertion
operation can be increased.
[0049] Further, the insertion load of the clip 10 may substantially
depend on elastic forces of the engagement members 12. Conversely,
the elastic force of the engagement members 12 may substantially
correspond to a retaining force of the clip 10. Therefore, the
insertion load of the clip 10 can be maintained substantially
constant over the substantially all insertion strokes without
reducing the retaining force of the clip 10.
[0050] Further, when the clip insertion operation is completed
(i.e., when the engagement members 12 reach the engagement
condition), the engagement members 12 can be restored or flexed
outwardly, so that the arm portions 12e can be spaced from the
attachment portion 22. As a result, the insertion load can be
sharply reduced. Therefore, a feeling of snap action at the
completion of the clip insertion operation can be increased.
[0051] The second detailed representative embodiment will now be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. Because the second
embodiment relates to the first embodiment, only the constructions
and elements that are different from the first embodiment will be
explained in detail.
[0052] Similar to the clip 10, the clip 50 may have a closed upper
or front (leading) end 50A and an open lower or rear (trailing) end
50B. In particular, the clip 50 may essentially be composed of a
pair of right and left flexible engagement members 52 and a pair of
retainer members 54. Similar to the engagement members 12 of the
clip 10, the engagement members 52 may have proximal end portions
52a corresponding to the front end 50A of the clip 50 and distal
end portions 52b corresponding to the rear end 50B of the clip 50.
The engagement members 52 may be connected to each other at the
proximal end portions 52a thereof. Further, the engagement members
52 may respectively be capable of elastically flexing (deforming)
inwardly about the connected proximal end portions 52a.
[0053] The engagement members 52 may respectively have outwardly
most-bulged portions respectively having shoulder portions 52c,
inclined transition portions respectively having inclined surfaces
52d, vertical arm portions 52e, and protrusions 52f, which
respectively correspond to the outwardly most-bulged portions
having the shoulder portions 12c, the inclined transition portions
respectively having inclined surfaces 12d, the vertical arm
portions 12e, and the protrusions 12f of the engagement members 12
of the clip 10.
[0054] Conversely, the retainer members 54 may be formed as
flexible strips that are respectively formed in the engagement
members 52. Unlike the retainer members 14 of the clip 10, the
retainer members 54 may respectively be integrally connected to
inner surfaces of the engagement members 52. Unlike the retainer
members 14 of the clip 10, the retainer members 54 may respectively
include only upper or front pressing portions 54a that are formed
as cantilevered portions. Further, the retainer members 54 may
respectively have inwardly projected engagement protrusions 54b
that are respectively formed in lower end portions of inner
opposite surfaces of the pressing portions 54a thereof.
[0055] Naturally, various changes and modifications may be made to
the present invention without departing from the scope of the
invention. For example, in the embodiments, the clip 10 is composed
of the two flexible engagement members 12 and the two flexible
retainer members 14. However, the clip 10 can be composed of a
single flexible engagement member and a single flexible retainer
member. That is, one of the flexible engagement members 12 and one
of the flexible retainer members 14 can be replaced with a
non-flexible rigid member.
[0056] Representative examples of the present invention have been
described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This
detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill
in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed
invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed
in the foregoing detail description may not be necessary to
practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead
taught merely to particularly describe detailed representative
examples of the invention. Moreover, the various features taught in
this specification may be combined in ways that are not
specifically enumerated in order to obtain additional useful
embodiments of the present invention.
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